FDA authorizes first eyeglass lenses to slow nearsightedness in children in the US

(CNN) — The US Food and Drug Administration has authorized marketing of the first eyeglass lenses in the United States that not only correct nearsightedness in children, they can slow the progression of the condition.

The FDA said Thursday that it had issued marketing authorization for Essilor’s Stellest eyeglass lenses for children ages 6 to 12 who have myopia, also known as nearsightedness, with or without astigmatism.

Myopia is when someone can see objects close-up but their vision becomes blurred when looking at objects farther away, and astigmatism is a condition in which either the eye’s cornea or lens has a different shape than normal, causing blurred vision.

“As a practicing ophthalmologist, I see firsthand the lifelong impact that vision problems can have on an individ